The clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1883-1888, 1887-01-05
Elements of Success in Life"
ESSAY BY MIss BEULAH COBB.

Regular Mondays exercise in Lea Female College
Success in life is like fame-a pima
Gle to which we must climb, step by
step. Each one that is taken leads US TO
form higher, nobler resolutions, accom-
panied with determination, that, with
out a doubt, is sure to be successful. OF
all the lessons that frail humanity has
to learn in this school of life, the most
difficult is to wait. Not to wait with
folded hands to claim life's prize with
out previous effort, but after having
struggled and toiled day after day to
see no result, then to still be firm and
relax no effort, may truly be called
greatness. The grandest results cannot
be accomplished in day. For the
fruits that are best worth plucking usu
ally ripen the most slowly. Therefore,
every one who would gain a solid sue
cess, must learn to Labor and to wait
Yes, labor, for idleness alone, is there
perpetual despair. History and biogra
ply abound with examples of signal
patience shown by great men under try
ing circumstances If the old adage, "If
at first you don't succeed, try, try,
again" was followed more, there would
be quite difference in the intelligence
of the people of to day. There are some
in which patience is particularly requi-
site to success. 1t can well be said that
there is no excellence or rare success
without patience or great labor. Nearly
all of the worlds great scholars, authors,
and philosophers, have proceeded there
on their way to distinction, against
many trials and discouragements. They
could never have entered upon the
broad field of battle without the faithful
practice of the three qualities which we
are now considering; namely, patience,
perseverance and courage.
Next we will take perseverance. At
first we may make little progress in the
course marked out in life. Rut by
steady perseverance we may at last reap
great and abundant harvests. Every
flying moment should be improved.
Each and every one of our powers exer-
cised to their fullest extent For facil
ity Of every kind comes by labor. Moth
ing is easy that was not difficult at first.
Where there's will there's a way" is
a true old saying. 1t is wonderful at
times to see what marvels are accom-
plished by men acting under the impulse
of powerful will. OF course there are
limits to human capabilities in all af-
fairs. In every sphere of activity we
NAV meet with obstacles which even the
utmost energy cannot overcome. Al
most every one is more or less the victim
of circumstances, which often times are
so powerful that it is impossible to
crush ones way through. Nevertheless
it is a rare occurrence. For in the yO-
cabulary of great men there is no such
word as fail. They trample upon impos
sibilities, but by steady and faithful
perseverance, walk undefed the straight
road to a successful life.
After ALL the true way in which we
should meet the trials of life is to en-
counter them unfinchingly, to have
courage. 1t is not battle fields alone
that try the soul and demand courage.
Everyday life calls loudly for its exer-
else. Does it require no courage for
that person long nursed in the lap of
indulgenu kindness, who has just return
ed from his fathers grave, with the
knowledge that he is now to meet life's
trials alone? Does it require no courage
in school life to say that we "never
shrink duty?' Courage is an indis-
pensable element of success in life.
That is courage which shrinks not from
the coming danger which does not draw
back from inevitable circumstances, but
bravely girds itself for assault and vic
tory If in the crown of successful
life there are found the three stars of
patience, perseverance and courage, then
the "well done" pronounced is deserved,
and worthy of appreciation.